Monday, February 26, 2007

Cabazon Turns 20

Twenty years ago, on February 25, 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. Cabazon was a landmark case because it kicked open the door for Indian gaming. At the time, though, no one quite new how significant it would be.

Today, the Cabazon Band's gaming operations look a lot different than they did in 1987. The modest bingo parlor and card room have morphed into the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, featuring "Las Vegas action" and headliners including Dolly Parton, George Carlin, Reba McIntyre, and Jamie Foxx. Meat Loaf will perform on February 25, two decades to the day after the Band won its landmark case before the Supreme Court. Paradise by the slot machine lights?

2 Comments:

All of the California tribes are commended for making mountains from the mole hills that were given to them. A recent survey question asked me what I felt was significant about Indians and I said, well we are resourceful people. We are given swamp land and can turn them into multi-billion dollar land property by opening up a casino. Now, that isn't always the case, but it is nice to brag about it when it does happen. The profit sharing issue of the California tribes doesn't seem to be that cumbersome in the overall profit, but keep in mind it does quell the progress of tribal programs ultimately, so it would be nice to see a study done on the economical impacts of the profit sharing now that CA has set the precedent in that area. Maybe a report on how much money COULD HAVE impacted the tribe had we not have profit sharing? I am full of ideas like this.